Two teams. Two losses. 22 combined changes.
Both Munster and Ulster have rung in the changes after their respective interprovincial defeats to Leinster and Connacht last weekend, with internationals Keith Earls and Charles Piutau both set to return.
Earls will make his return to outside centre where he will partner Sam Arnold in the midfield, while Ireland U20 winger Calvin Nash will join Alex Wootton and Simon Zebo in the back three.
Duncan Williams will partner JJ Hanrahan in the halves, while up front, James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan will start together in the front row for the first time this season.
Billy Holland will captain the side from the second-row alongside Darren O’Shea, while Chris Cloete, Tommy O’Donnell and Jack O’Donoghue will fill out the remainder of the pack.
It's Ulster next in the Guinness PRO14 with a trip to Belfast on New Year's Day for #ULSvMUN at 5.35pm.
Great to see Ronan O'Mahony back after long-term injury. #SUAF 🔴
Check out the line-up 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/YoYus4o138
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 30, 2017
Meanwhile for Ulster, hooker Rob Herring has recovered from concussion and will captain the side with props Rodney Ah You (wrist) and Kyle McCall (shoulder) returning from two-month injury lay-offs to join him in the front-row.
Alan O’Connor and Kieran Treadwell reunite in the second-row after back-to-back Champions Cup wins over Harlequins, while in the backrow, Nick Timoney moves to openside to accommodate the return of Jean Deysel at number eight, with Ireland U20 international Greg Jones filling in at blindside.
Christian Lealiifano will join John Cooney in the halves once again, with Stuart McCloskey partnering Louis Ludik in the centres and Rob Lyttle coming in for his first start of the season after being named on the left wing alongside Craig Gilroy and Charles Piutau in the back three.
🔊 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Here’s your Ulster team to take on Munster on Monday evening at @KingspanStadium pic.twitter.com/r9DHWwwRhX
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 30, 2017
WATCH: @JohnnySexton returns to captain Leinster against Connacht at the RDS, @jameslowenz to make his home debut. #LEIvCON#JoinTheRoar: https://t.co/Iv4c4atinf pic.twitter.com/oiyo6AKV2w
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 30, 2017
Keane makes three changes for New Year’s Day clash with Leinster – Full Team News https://t.co/LNkDXPzvGz pic.twitter.com/cODeaCKZs8
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 30, 2017
